Preview | Millwall v Reading

Millwall's penultimate match of 2018 takes place at The Den on Boxing Day as The Lions take on Reading in the Sky Bet Championship (kick-off 3pm).

Neil Harris' side return to The Den after a two-and-a-half week absence, drawing 2-2 with Hull City last time out, and arrive back in SE16 following two narrow defeats, but with encouraging performances at Preston North End and Stoke City.

Tom Bradshaw and Shaun Williams will definitely be missing, while Jiri Skalak will be assessed having missed the last couple of games due to illness. Neil Harris - who stressed the importance of Wednesday's match - may opt to freshen up his starting XI for the visit of The Royals, with Steve Morison and Aiden O'Brien, who stepped off the bench at the bet365 Stadium, pushing for starts.

Ryan Tunnicliffe is the featured star in The Lions' matchday programme, which continues to commemorate the club's 25 years at The 'new' Den. Junior Lions Christmas Card competition winner Ella Lyons, however, adorns the front cover this time round, whilst an interview with goalkeeper Graham Stack is inside as the 2004/5 campaign comes under the spotlight.

Millwall Community Trust, meanwhile, are supporting Crisis at Christmas, and you can read more about the initiative by clicking here.

Tickets for Boxing Day's meeting are available right up until kick-off, but if you are unable to make it to The Den, then full match commentary will be available on iFollow Millwall from around 2.50pm. International subscribers, however, can watch all the action from SE16 on iFollow. Click here for more details.

Looking to read up on The Royals? You can see how their season has gone so far by clicking here, while a statistical preview of the match can be found here.

Wallace strike gives Lions festive cheer

Jed Wallace's early free-kick gave Millwall a crucial 1-0 win over nine-man Reading in the Sky Bet Championship at The Den on Boxing Day.

The winger curled home just eight minutes in to score the only goal of a game which saw Tyler Blackett and Leandro Bacuna given their marching orders by referee Andy Davies.

The victory takes The Lions out of the bottom three - above their opponents - and also secures a first success since 27th October.

Millwall boss Neil Harris opted to keep his starting XI from last Saturday's narrow loss at Stoke City the same, with two changes coming on the bench - James Brown replaced the injured Conor McLaughlin, whilst Jiri Skalak returned from illness in place of Byron Webster.

Ryan Leonard was the first to get the Den crowd off their feet as early as the second minute, charging down Reading's back-line and Anssi Jaakkola's attempted clearance.

With six minutes on the clock a deep free-kick was nodded down by Shaun Hutchinson, but Tom Elliott's shot was saved by Jaakkola. Shane Ferguson and then Leonard both punished some slack Reading defending, with the latter leading to the opening goal - Jed Wallace curling home a delightful free-kick from around 20 yards out.

The Royals' start got worse from there as Blackett was shown a straight red card for a strong tackle on the goalscorer.

The visitor's incredible reluctance to not play out from the back was costing them dearly - Ryan Tunnicliffe nearly doubled the lead as The Royals failed to get out of their own penalty area from a goal-kick on 18 minutes, but his shot was blocked behind; a combination of Hutchinson and Lee Gregory could not force the resulting corner-kick over the line.

More efforts on goal were deflected behind as The Lions were assertive and dominant in attack - Ferguson curling just wide with a cross-cum-shot with 20 minutes on the clock. Reading's first attempt came two minutes later, but John Swift barely troubled Jordan Archer from range.

Reading enjoyed a spell of possession from there, but did not work Archer. Ferguson swung over a corner at the other end three minutes from the half-time break, but Elliott headed over the crossbar. Gregory was the last to have an attempt on goal in the half, but it was blocked. The striker nearly stole Bacuna's header away from Jaakkola seconds before the whistle, but the stopper claimed at a stretch.

The second-half was just seconds old when Jed Wallace took the ball down neatly and turned on the edge of the six-yard box, but his shot went wide. Danny Loader curled The Royals' first attempt of the half into Archer's arms on 51 minutes, whilst a neat move ended with Leonard firing just wide at the other end.

A neat one-two between Jed Wallace and Tunnicliffe nearly paid dividends on the hour-mark, but the latter was just unable to steer the former's lofted pass towards goal.

On 72 minutes The Royals were inches away from levelling the scores - a lick of paint, in fact - as Swift struck the crossbar with a free-kick from range. That served as a wake-up call for The Lions, who responded with a strike of the woodwork of their own, as Cooper headed on to the post.

Three minutes from time Reading's ranks were further depleted as Bacuna was shown a straight red card for needlessly involving himself in an altercation after Davies had blown for a foul on Ferguson.

Tickets | Millwall v Reading

Millwall entertain Reading in the Sky Bet Championship on Boxing Day (kick-off 3pm) - and tickets are now on general sale.

This game is a Category A match.

Proof of age is required when purchasing concession tickets. Age is calculated for this season on 1st August 2018. Under 12 tickets need to be purchased with an adult ticket.

Don't forget that if you are a member and purchase your ticket up until the day before the game, you will receive a £3 reduction. If you are a Junior Lion, you will receive a £2 reduction on your matchday ticket price.

To book Family Stand Tickets please call 0844 826 2004 and select option 2 between the hours of 9.30am-5pm Monday-Friday. Tickets for the Family Stand are not available online.

Group Bookings are available for this match. Please call 0844 826 2004 and select option 1 between the hours of 9.30am-5pm Monday-Friday.

Wheelchair/Ambulant Disabled supporters need to call 0844 826 2004 and select option 1 to book tickets between the hours and 9.30am-5pm Monday-Friday.

There are three easy ways to buy tickets: * Online at www.millwalltickets.com(booking fees apply) * By phone on 0844 826 2004 and selecting option 2 between the hours of 9.30am-5pm Monday-Friday (calls to this number will cost 7p per minute from your BT landline. Calls from other networks may vary and from mobiles will be considerably more. Booking fees apply) * In person at the Millwall Ticket Office

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